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The Fight Network Comes To Cablevision

Published

10 years ago

June 26, 2014

The Sweet Science

OPTIMUM TV EXPANDS LINEUP FOR SPORTS FANATICS WITH ADDITION

OF FIGHT NETWORK AND FNTSY SPORTS NETWORK

BETHPAGE, NY, June 26, 2014 – Cablevision Systems Corp. (NYSE: CVC) today announced that it has expanded its Optimum TV lineup with the addition of Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel, and FNTSY Sports Network, the first-ever channel dedicated to fantasy sports. Cablevision is the first major U.S. cable TV provider to offer either channel.

Fight Network is a 24/7 television channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports. It airs programs focused on the entire scope of the combat sports genre, including mixed martial arts, boxing, kickboxing, professional wrestling, traditional martial arts, fight news and analysis, as well as fight-themed drama, reality series, documentaries and feature films.

Fight Network’s dynamic programming lineup includes live events from around the world, extensive news coverage and expert analysis. FNTSY Sports Network is the world’s first-ever television network specifically targeted towards the estimated 40 million people who play fantasy sports annually and on a daily basis. It includes live studio programming, call-in shows, panels, celebrity and expert drafts, reality programming and on-site commentary from sports venues, as well as short-form programming from the experts around the country.

Fight Network can be found on channel 464 and FNTSY Sports Network is on channel 147. Both networks are available as part of the Optimum Sports & Entertainment Pak. Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network are owned by Anthem Media Group Inc., a global leader in operating targeted specialty television channels on linear, digital and mobile platforms. “We are pleased to now offer Fight Network and FNTSY Sports Network, two high-quality channels that add even more variety and choice to the Optimum TV sports programming lineup,” said Kevin Packingham, Cablevision’s executive vice president of product management.

“Customers who are interested in combat sports are sure to enjoy the extensive coverage available on Fight Network, and FNTSY Sports Network’s around-the-clock commentary and analysis makes it the ultimate place for fantasy sports participants to plan their next moves.””For years, the marketplace has been crying out for a destination channel serving fight hungry fans and, with Fight Network, the call has been answered,” said Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Media Group Inc.

“Fans want to watch the fights but they also want to connect with the culture of combat sports, and we are pleased that Optimum TV customers can now experience this with Fight Network. We are equally excited to launch FNTSY Sports Network on Optimum TV; with the explosive growth of fantasy sports, there is an insatiable need for information and advice from the experts and for a place that the social community of fantasy sports players can call home. FNTSY adds an element of entertainment that provides the fantasy sports player with an exciting way to engage with their passion.

“In addition to live weigh-ins, press conferences and other breaking news, Fight Network airs mixed martial arts events from Cage Warriors, KSW, Ultimate Challenge MMA, Championship Fighting Alliance and M-1, kickboxing from K-1 Global, Enfusion and Final Fight Championship, world-class boxing productions from Frank Warren, Matchroom Sport, DiBella Entertainment, Hennessy Sports and more, plus professional wrestling events and traditional martial arts disciplines such as amateur wrestling, judo, karate, taekwondo, sambo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

Fight Network also produces weekly and daily news programs, including “5 Rounds” on Mondays at 7 p.m., featuring extensive event recaps and technical breakdowns, and “Fight News Now” on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., a look at the biggest newsmakers with analysis and profiles of upcoming events. Fridays at 8 p.m., “Toe 2 Toe” provides in-depth interviews with the most relevant and interesting people in the world of combat sports, from mixed martial arts fighters to trainers to boxing legends and more.

FNTSY Sports Network covers every possible fantasy sport, from football to golf, baseball, World Cup soccer, basketball, racing and more. It airs insightful daily live news and feature programs, including the simulcast of SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio’s “RotoExperts” with Scott Engel and Adam Ronis weekdays from 6 to 9 a.m., followed by live studio productions of “Game Time Decisions” with Gabriel Morency at 3 p.m. and “FNTSY Sports Today” with Laura Diakun at 4 p.m.. Additionally, the channel recently launched “Bloomberg Sports Stats Insights” weekdays at 6:30 p.m., focusing on predictive analytical content to reveal fantasy projections and forecasts, as well as in-depth analysis and coverage of the day’s top sports stories that affect the fantasy sports world.

FNTSY Sports Network also features short-form content from some of the top experts in fantasy sports, providing timely up-to-the-minute information and breaking news, as well as a permanent multi-zone fantasy sports “ticker,” all combining to provide an exciting schedule that a fantasy sports player can’t do without, and regular sports fans will not want to miss. The network’s major suppliers of statistics and data include industry leaders Stats LLC. and The Sports Network.

ABOUT CABLEVISION

Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is a leading media and telecommunications
company, serving millions of households and businesses throughout the greater New York
area. Providing quality products that keep customers connected, Cablevision offers Optimumbranded digital cable television, high-speed Internet and phone services as well as Optimum WiFi, the nation’s most robust wireless Internet network. Cablevision’s Lightpath subsidiary is a premier provider of integrated business communications solutions for larger companies.

Through its local media and programming properties – News 12 Networks, Newsday Media
Group and MSG Varsity – Cablevision also delivers news and information created specifically
for the communities it serves. Additional information about Cablevision is available at www.cablevision.com. ABOUT ANTHEM MEDIA GROUP INC.

Anthem Media Group Inc. is a media company with offices and studios in New York, Toronto
and Los Angeles, operating targeted television channels on linear, digital and mobile
platforms globally. In addition to Fantasy Sports Network, Anthem’s portfolio includes
RotoExperts.com, a leader in fantasy sports content, Fight Network, the world’s premier
combat sports channel now broadcasting in the U.S., Canada and over 30 other countries, as
well as significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S. available in over 40 million homes. Anthem also owns SportsGrid.com, a leader in
general sports entertainment commentary.

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2015 Fight of the Year – Francisco Vargas vs Takashi Miura

Published

9 years ago

January 4, 2016

The Sweet Science

The WBC World Super Featherweight title bout between Francisco Vargas and Takashi Miura came on one of the biggest boxing stages of 2015, as the bout served as the HBO pay-per-view’s co-main event on November 21st, in support of Miguel Cotto vs Saul Alvarez.

Miura entered the fight with a (29-2-2) record and he was making the fifth defense of his world title, while Vargas entered the fight with an undefeated mark of (22-0-1) in what was his first world title fight. Both men had a reputation for all-out fighting, with Miura especially earning high praise for his title defense in Mexico where he defeated Sergio Thompson in a fiercely contested battle.

The fight started out hotly contested, and the intensity never let up. Vargas seemed to win the first two rounds, but by the fourth round, Miura seemed to pull ahead, scoring a knock-down and fighting with a lot of confidence. After brawling the first four rounds, Miura appeared to settle into a more technical approach. Rounds 5 and 6 saw the pendulum swing back towards Vargas, as he withstood Miura’s rush to open the fifth round and the sixth round saw both men exchanging hard punches.

The big swinging continued, and though Vargas likely edged Miura in rounds 5 and 6, Vargas’ face was cut in at least two spots and Miura started to assert himself again in rounds 7 and 8. Miura was beginning to grow in confidence while it appeared that Vargas was beginning to slow down, and Miura appeared to hurt Vargas at the end of the 8th round.

Vargas turned the tide again at the start of the ninth round, scoring a knock down with an uppercut and a straight right hand that took Miura’s legs and sent him to the canvas. Purely on instinct, Miura got back up and continued to fight, but Vargas was landing frequently and with force. Referee Tony Weeks stepped in to stop the fight at the halfway point of round 9 as Miura was sustaining a barrage of punches.

Miura still had a minute and a half to survive if he was going to get out of the round, and it was clear that he was not going to stop fighting.

A back and forth battle of wills between two world championship level fighters, Takashi Miura versus “El Bandido” Vargas wins the 2015 Fight of the Year.

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Jan 9 in Germany – Feigenbutz and De Carolis To Settle Score

Published

9 years ago

January 4, 2016

The Sweet Science

This coming Saturday, January 9th, the stage is set at the Baden Arena in Offenburg, Germany for a re-match between Vincent Feigenbutz and Giovanni De Carolis. The highly anticipated re-match is set to air on SAT.1 in Germany, and Feigenbutz will once again be defending his GBU and interim WBA World titles at Super Middleweight.

The first meeting between the two was less than three months ago, on October 17th and that meeting saw Feigenbutz controversially edge De Carolis on the judge’s cards by scores of (115-113, 114-113 and 115-113). De Carolis scored a flash knock down in the opening round, and he appeared to outbox Feigenbutz in the early going, but the 20 year old German champion came on in the later rounds.

The first bout is described as one of the most crowd-pleasing bouts of the year in Germany, and De Carolis and many observers felt that the Italian had done enough to win.

De Carolis told German language website RAN.DE that he was more prepared for the re-match, and that due to the arrogance Feigenbutz displayed in the aftermath of the first fight, he was confident that he had won over some of the audience. Though De Carolis fell short of predicting victory, he promised a re-vamped strategy tailored to what he has learned about Feigenbutz, whom he termed immature and inexperienced.

The stage is set for Feigenbutz vs De Carolis 2, this Saturday January 9th in Offenburg, Germany. If you can get to the live event do it, if not you have SAT.1 in Germany airing the fights, and The Boxing Channel right back here for full results.

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2015 Knock Out of the Year – Saul Alvarez KO’s James Kirkland

Published

9 years ago

December 29, 2015

The Sweet Science

On May 9th of 2015, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez delivered a resonant knock-out of James Kirkland on HBO that wins the 2015 KO of the Year.

The knock-out itself came in the third round, after slightly more than two minutes of action. The end came when Alvarez delivered a single, big right hand that caught Kirkland on the jaw and left him flat on his back after spinning to the canvas.Alvarez was clearly the big star heading into the fight. The fight was telecast by HBO for free just one week after the controversial and disappointing Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao fight, and Alvarez was under pressure to deliver the type of finish that people were going to talk about. Kirkland was happy to oblige Alvarez, taking it right to Alvarez from the start. Kirkland’s aggression saw him appear to land blows that troubled the young Mexican in the early going. Alvarez played good defense, and he floored Kirkland in the first round, displaying his power and his technique in knocking down an aggressive opponent.

However, Kirkland kept coming at Alvarez and the fight entered the third round with both men working hard and the feeling that the fight would not go the distance. Kirkland continued to move forward, keeping “Canelo” against the ropes and scoring points with a barrage of punches while looking for an opening.

At around the two minute mark, Alvarez landed an uppercut that sent Kirkland to the canvas again. Kirkland got up, but it was clear that he did not have his legs under him. Kirkland was going to try to survive the round, but Alvarez had an opportunity to close out the fight. The question was would he take it?

Alvarez closed in on Kirkland, putting his opponent’s back to the ropes. Kirkland was hurt, but he was still dangerous, pawing with punches and loading up for one big shot.

But it was the big shot “Canelo” threw that ended the night. Kirkland never saw it coming, as he was loading up with a huge right hand of his own. The right Alvarez threw cracked Kirkland in the jaw, and his eyes went blank. His big right hand whizzed harmlessly over the head of a ducking Alvarez, providing the momentum for the spin that left Kirkland prone on the canvas.

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez went on to defeat Miguel Cotto in his second fight of 2015 and he is clearly one of boxing’s biggest stars heading into 2016. On May 9th Alvarez added another reel to his highlight film when he knocked out James Kirkland with the 2015 “Knock Out of the Year”.

Photo by naoki fukuda

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